IDF admits killing civilians at aid stations in Gaza

The Israeli military has acknowledged responsibility for the deaths of several Palestinian civilians near aid distribution points in southern Gaza. In a statement, the IDF confirmed that its soldiers had mistakenly opened fire in at least three separate incidents, killing and injuring civilians who were attempting to access humanitarian aid.

These admissions come amid broader scrutiny of Israel’s role in ensuring safe aid delivery in the war-torn enclave. Since the partial lifting of an 11-week blockade on May 19, over 400 Palestinians are reported to have been killed while seeking food and assistance, according to United Nations estimates.

The IDF stated that it has launched internal investigations and updated its operational procedures in response to what it described as “tragic” mistakes. Measures now include clearer signage, fencing, and revised positioning of aid centers to reduce potential clashes between civilians and military units.

At the same time, Israeli officials have challenged the accuracy of casualty figures reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, accusing them of deliberate inflation. Meanwhile, international criticism is mounting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and several humanitarian watchdogs have condemned the current aid model—backed by both the U.S. and Israel—as fundamentally unsafe, warning that it places desperate civilians in harm’s way and may violate international law.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between military operations and humanitarian needs in Gaza, as aid distribution continues under dangerous and often chaotic conditions.